As Summer Starts, Austin Motorcycle Accident Attorney Supports Texas DPS’ Call for All Drivers to ‘Share the Road’ and ‘Look Twice’ for Motorcycles

Bob Richardson of the Bob Richardson Law Firm says 100 percent increase in fatal motorcycle accidents in Texas since 2000 has been caused, in part, by drivers not seeing motorcycles on the road.

Austin lawyer Bob Richardson

Every driver needs to aggressively look for motorcycles before they change lanes or merge with traffic. Don’t try to share a lane with a motorcycle, and don’t follow them too closely.

Austin, TX (PRWEB) June 16, 2012

With the start of the summer here, Austin motorcycle accident lawyer Bob Richardson today endorsed the Texas Department of Public Safety’s recent reminder for drivers to take extra precautions around motorcyclists on Texas streets and highways.

“The statistics about motorcycle accidents and fatalities in Texas are startling, and there’s no better time than the start of the summer, when more motorcycles will be on the road, for everyone to be reminded of their obligation to look out for motorcycle riders,” said Richardson, founder of the Austin personal injury firm, Bob Richardson Law Firm.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) says that the number of motorcyclists killed annually in the state since 2000 has more than doubled, from 196 in 2000 to 472 in 2011. The 472 motorcycle drivers and passengers who lost their lives in Texas accounted for 16 percent of traffic deaths in the state, a recent DPS news release says.

Eighty-seven percent of motorcycle crashes result in death or injury of the motorcyclist, DPS says.

“We particularly appreciate that DPS says not only to ‘share the road’ with motorcyclists, but also to ‘look twice’ for motorcycles,” Richardson said. “Motorcycle crashes, particularly ones that cause deaths, typically happen because a car or truck driver never saw the motorcyclist.”

The Bob Richardson Law Firm’s motorcycle accident attorneys investigate motorcycle wrecks as part of personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of individuals in Austin, Waco and throughout Texas.

“Every driver needs to aggressively look for motorcycles before they change lanes or merge with traffic,” Richardson said. “Don’t try to share a lane with a motorcycle, and don’t follow them too closely.

“At the same time, motorcyclists need to remember to stay away from cars’ blind spots and take other measures to make themselves visible to other motorists,” Richardson added.

Richardson said anyone hurt in a motorcycle accident that was the other driver’s fault, or the family member of anyone killed in a motorcycle accident, should consult a motorcycle accident lawyer experienced in Texas personal injury law.

When Texans are killed in motorcycle accidents that are caused by another driver’s negligence or recklessness, their survivors have a right to compensation for the loss of their family member’s care and companionship, funeral expenses and mental anguish, Richardson said.

Motorcycle riders injured in wrecks may be due compensation for their medical expenses, damage to their motorcycles, time away from work and other expenses, he added.

About The Bob Richardson Law Firm

The Bob Richardson Law Firm is a highly respected Texas personal injury and Social Security disability law firm. The firm is dedicated to providing skilled and professional legal services to clients in cases involving car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, drunk driving accidents, construction accidents, workplace accidents and slip and fall accidents as well as representation to those seeking benefits for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The firm’s principal office is located at 812 San Antonio St., Suite 300, Austin, TX, 78701 (local phone number (512) 472-5100), and it also has an office at 6801 Sanger Avenue, Suite 120-B, Waco, TX, 76710 (local phone number (254) 772-3200). The firm assists clients throughout Round Rock, Georgetown, Killeen, Temple, Cedar Park, Lakeway, Taylor, Belton and surrounding Texas communities. To learn more about The Bob Richardson Law Firm, call (800) 880-5100 or use the firm’s online form.